This cloud of interstallar matter became one of the best-known astronomical objects when first imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope. The center part with the pitoresque dark clouds was called the "pillars of creation". The name was taken from the shape of the dark enclosures called "globules" and the fact that these relatively condensed regions bear the next generation of forming stars visible in infrared light only.
The star cluster "Trumpler 32" to the upper right underwent this stage of star formation about 300 million years ago. The particle wind of the young, energetic stars blew away the remaining gas and dust shortly after the ignition of starlight.